Leicester Square is a pedestrianised square surrounded by a number of nationally significant cinemas with some of the city’s biggest screens, as well as a variety of restaurants. The Odeon Leicester Square, Empire, Leicester Square is often used for film premieres, so why not do a bit of Hollywood star-spotting while you're in London. The lush garden in the middle of the square is the perfect spot for cooling off in summer or resting your feet. Cinephiles should definitely check out the programme of the Prince Charles Cinema. This independent cinema does screenings of cult films and marathon film runs.

The National Portrait Gallery in Central London harbours more than 195,000 portraits of famous men and women who have shaped British history from the 16th century to the present day. Painted by acclaimed artists such as Holbein, David Hockney, Cecil Beaton and Lucian Freud, sitters include kings, queens, film stars, politicians, musicians and many more. The gallery's rolling calendar of exhibitions is worth investigating as well.

The exquisite museum offers visitors an immersive experience into Osaka's Edo (9th floor), Meiji (8th floor) and recent Showa periods. Life-size recreations of Osaka's ancient streets and scale models are complete with multiple original artifacts dating back to the respective eras. One of the museum's main attractions is the opportunity to try on and be photographed in a traditional kimono against the backdrop of a historic Japanese street.